A Wayland man’s trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend a year and a half ago is on track to begin in February, lawyers said Thursday in Middlesex Superior Court.

Nathaniel Fujita's trial is scheduled to begin on Feb. 11. Prior to the trial, the Middlesex district attorney’s office and Fujita’s lawyer, William Sullivan, will argue final pretrial motions on Jan. 28. Lawyers are also expected to submit their witness lists that day.

Fujita, 20, is accused of killing Lauren Astley, 18, at his 108 West Plain St., home, when she visited on July 3, 2011. Authorities say he tried to strangle her with a bungee cord and stabbed her death.

After the murder, Fujita dumped the young woman’s body in a marsh off Water Row, authorities said. A birdwatcher found Astley’s body the next morning and Fujita was arrested on July 5, 2011.

Fujita is being held without bail at the Middlesex Jail in Cambridge. He is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.

If found guilty of first-degree murder, Fujita would be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter at @Norman_MillerMW.